Police are linking two burglaries carried out on the homes of two elderly women in Wearside.

Police are linking two burglaries carried out on the homes of two elderly women in Wearside.

The first happened at an 87-year-old's house in Raglan Row, Houghton-le-Spring on Saturday.

The second burglary happened on the same day at the home of a 76-year-old woman in Aged Miners' cottages, Shiney Row.

Both victims were shocked but uninjured.

The attacker was white, aged between 18 and 20, of a slim build and clean shaven. He wore a light-coloured baseball cap, grey top and similar bottoms. He spoke with a local soft accent and was polite to both women.